Coal scam: Delhi High Court turns down Madhu Koda's request to pause his conviction

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed a petition by former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda, who had requested a suspension of his conviction in a coal scam case. Koda had appealed for the stay on his conviction to allow him to participate in the forthcoming assembly elections in the state. Koda, along with ex-coal secretary H C Gupta, former Jharkhand chief secretary A K Basu, and Koda's associate Vijay Joshi, were sentenced to three years in prison by a trial court for engaging in corrupt activities and plotting a criminal conspiracy in the allocation of the Rajhara North Coal Block to Kolkata-based firm Vini Iron and Steel Udyog Ltd (VISUL).

Fines of Rs 50 lakh, Rs 25 lakh, and Rs 1 lakh were too required on VISUL, Koda, and Gupta individually in association with the coal trick from the UPA period. Moreover, Basu was fined Rs 1 lakh. All the indicted people were allowed safeguard whereas their requests are being processed.